We use our smartphones more than ever before. It is our organizer and, in some cases, main link to the world and our friends. Applications (apps) are fantastic ways to keep yourself organized and entertained while you wait for a myriad of things to happen or pass. There are some apps that you absolutely need, which is a weird thing to say because it means you rely on your phone more than you care to admit. Here are a few handy apps that I love:

5. Family Album

Photo: family-album.com

Full disclosure, I passively use this app, but Family Album is fantastic and if I ever have kids I am using this app. Keeping track of family moments, being able to add/share photos and then comment on them is great. In addition to this, the app allows you to create family albums for any specified period. If you do not have the time – and who does these days – to craft an album, with a few clicks, you can get a decent family album delivered to you and made up of the photos you have already organized and uploaded. One last bonus – the photos you upload, unless you screenshot them, cannot be shared or downloaded which is a handy feature.

4. Recycle Coach

Photo: recyclecoach.com

Remember when I said that apps can be used to stay organized? Yeah, say hello to Recycle Coach. Now, I am not sure if this is available where you are, but here in the City of Vaughan the handy app keeps track of garbage days, what needs to be put out and when, and any special days like double-up days. It also provides a handy index that you can search to see where items need to be placed with an explanation why. It also syncs up with your calendar and publishes reminders 12 hours before you need to put the garbage out. This was really helpful in the first few weeks after moving to Vaughan. While it is very specific, it is very handy and I would recommend it.

3. Discord

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, one of my best friends realized that our group would not be able to stay in touch conveniently because we use different phones and platforms. Enter Discord. This is a free voice and text chat app and it works really well over IOS and Android phones. What I like about this app is that it is easy to create different group chats on specific subjects or topics instead of having one long chat. It is also very easy to make calls and setup chat rooms (so to speak) so you can go in and out of chats during the day, and the sound quality is good, and text friends individually when needed. This is another handy app that is worth checking out.

2. EveryDollar

Everyone needs a budget tracker. If you do not have one, consider EveryDollar. This is an easy app to use and track your purchases with. It helps you budget and stick with it by showing you how much you have saved/overspent. You can copy budgets from previous months to make new ones. Entering information is very easy as well. What is handy about this is that you can budget on-the-go wherever you are. There is no need to wait until you get home to upload your purchases. My wife and I use the free version and that is all you really need. There are added features like insights/analytics and linking accounts but if you need a simple budget tracker take a look at EveryDollar.

1. Deezer

Your music app choices are endless. However, if you are looking for a good music app, check out Deezer. There are a few great things I like about Deezer. First, the family plan where you can have up to six users, each with their own separate profile, using the app at the same time. That is handy for families, friends and any other group of people you share the app with. Second, you can play music offline. I cannot tell you how many times this simple feature has come through for me while I write at work and I am not using bandwidth. You do need to download the songs you want to hear but it is convenient to have it available offline. Third, there are curated lists, customized lists based on your favourites and so much music to choose from. Want to listen to some chill music on a Tuesday night? You got it! Hard rock from the early 00s? No problem. If you are like me, sometimes you search for the old dance music of the 90s and 00s…it is there for you to listen to! When my wife and I went on a road trip to Cleveland in 2018, I was able to create a playlist solely made of bands and singers enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and we listed to that for most of the trip.

Which apps do you find handy and swear by? Tell me in the comments section below.